Live Beautifully!

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Let me live in my house by the side of the road
 and be a friend to man...
 ~ Sam Walter Foss

How are those things you are grateful for - coming along?  Mine are slowly being penciled in, in this journal of mine.  I cannot say that I have listed each and every single day - since mentioning it here.. but, let me tell you.  My attitude has been of gratitude... because, I'm truly grateful.

Today it is for:
* first snowflakes - flitting through the air
* the smell of apples - so pungent
* the sip of a hot beverage or two on this cozy day
(Yes! I've had more than one.)

***
Had a chance to read a poem to my kiddos this morning, before school.  It comes from The Book of Virtues.  A book we've been reading from  - pretty near - each morning, that we can.

This poem, by New England poet, Sam Walter Foss, brings to light a picture of a humble house where a weary traveler may find a warm and hospitable welcome.  It's entitled:  The House By The Side of the Road.  I'll let you look up to read for yourself.  (it's worth it!)

And, it brought on the discussion, around the breakfast table - how as siblings; friends, neighbors...etc.  We all are a representation of a "house" - by the side of the road.  Cheering on, sharing the load, bringing on the encouragement that is needed... to one another.   Friends are to be the "help-meets" to one another.  In talking... I borrowed from an old blog post of mine (because, I think of this often, still!) - a few thoughts, as I shared with my kiddos, - about the fact that because we have Jesus in our hearts - our "house" should have obvious glowing windows.   In other words... live beautifully.

You can read that post HERE!!!

***
I don't know.  I feel kind of like a bit of a rambler here, but....I hope you were blessed. I hope you go and read that "old blog post" of mine.  I hope you were also (perhaps) challenged...

Live Beautifully.

Gratitude Community

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Welcome to the month of November!

I always think of November as a month set aside for expressing gratitude and time for giving...however, every day should be set aside for just that.  Right?

I found this quote by Daphne Rose Kingma, that says...
Today, see if you can stretch your heart and expand your love so that it touches not only to those to whom you can give it easily, but also those who need it so much.

Who would like to join me, that, for each day, this month, we, at best, list three things we are so grateful for?  And, can we share our love??   Can we consider this a type of community?  A gathering, per say.

I dare you to grab a notebook and a favorite pen.. and, on your own, jot down, every day - three things - you're grateful for and if there is some life you've touched!!  I have my "journal", ready to go. :)  If you'd like - you're welcome to share them in the comments. 

And, at the end of the month let's see how amazing life truly is!!   Who knows?!  Maybe, we'll form a new habit.  :)  Blessings on your day!

house becoming home

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Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  
It turns what we have into enough and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast. a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  
~ Melody Beattie

***
These are all photos from the past (our old home) - but warm me every time I see them.  I hope you don't mind me sharing them again, as a repeat.
 Our house, now, here, is slowly become home.  It's true.
 It starts with gratitude...
I'm truly grateful.
This is what November calls to mind.  Gratitude.
Not settling.
But truly satisfied.
May my heart-house become at home!!!

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Melody Beattie
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/melodybeat177949.html?src=t_home

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Melody Beattie
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/melodybeat177949.html?src=t_home

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Melody Beattie
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/melodybeat177949.html?src=t_home

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Melody Beattie
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/melodybeat177949.html?src=t_home

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Melody Beattie
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/melodybeat177949.html?src=t_home

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Melody Beattie Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/melodybeat177949.html?src=t_home

a HUGE breath of fresh air

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Beautiful Good Morning to You! 

Geesh.  It's almost late afternoon and well it is still quite beautiful, to say the least.

As you've read last, I was planning to attend a weekend ladies retreat, this past weekend.  I did.  And wow!  What a breath of fresh air!  Seriously.  I really, really needed a retreat/getaway and I'm so grateful I was able to go.

The weather was beautiful (just a tad chilly on occasion).  The location was not too far from home - though it felt like we were "way out there" - somewhere.  And...back at home.  It was, by the sounds of it... just as I had prayed.  Scott seemed to be completely at peace and the kids, he said, "did phenomenal".  All three of them.  I'm so glad.  I knew it would go well.  But a wife & mother can still wonder...

I was doing my best to soak up every detail.  Not just about our specific ladies retreat meeting in and of itself.  But in the actual facility.  I found great delight in sneaking a photo every now and again. And I should have taken way more.  I wanted to, but time nor opportunity would allow.  Of all the simple touches there, there were so many that "warmed" my heart.

 I said I found great delight and yet, I (honestly) felt really silly - if and when I got caught taking a photo. 

WHY?

Who knows.  I'm a blogger.  I should be expected to do that.  Oh well.  It is what it is.

Here is what I collected.  Moments here and there.  Granted, some of these photo and they're quality are not the best, due to the low lighting and what have you, but whateveh. 

I am glad to have them.

Great Inspiration...and this was only a small taste of it.  I appreciated all the attention to detail.
The vignettes and decor all around.

All of  the happenings of this weekend... makes up more of the counting of the One Thousand Gifts!  Actually,  I think it will take me there... but I'll still keep counting. ;)

965. the gift of fresh air - both physically and spiritually

966. good teaching, personal testimonies and worship time

967. fellowship of women -- we love to get together, don't we?

968. song lyrics that ministered to my soul and continue to do so.  I find myself humming them constantly... since I've been home.

969. "I live in the good of this..."

970. "your grace colors all I see..."

971.  when our mess turns into our message  (referring again, to those personal testimonies)

972.  having a sense of humor

973. head, neck and shoulder massage (w/pain med to help) - the care of another - to alleviate a HUGE tension headache

974. chocolate chip cookies

975. white porch rockers -all in a row  (it's a small wonder that two of them didn't find themselves a ride home on my roof rack)

976. sound of wind chimes - playing across the way

977. rolling hills and rustling trees

978. the sound of brown and white bleating sheep, while grazing out in the lush green grass - so sweet.

979. chalkboard paint - a fabulous thing

980. an illustration used :: the Hoover Dam - Christ absorbed it ALL!  God's wrath... taken upon himself, for us.  We stand FREE.

981. potted pansies

982. floating petals from flowering trees

983. those budding buddy friendships :: for deepening those friend-friend relationships

984. laughter!  (I had had a dream before this conference...that I was rolling in laughter.  I don't know who in the dream I was with or where. - but this weekend brought that to pass.  Not that I was rolling in it... but it was there. Praise God!)

985. picking back up where we left off - sharing stories, our memories and our hearts

986. winning a book giveaway - for having the youngest baby closest to the conference. Entitled: "Give them Grace" by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick & Jessica Thompson.  (Shh! I think I was predestined to win this book.)

987. painted toenails - walking in sunshine, yeah, yeah!

988. knowing.  Knowing I was not the only one who feels like they wear the same clothes all of the time.  That they also went out the night before to shop for "new" PJ's... an absolute must for a woman's retreat.

989. at least one Bags by Bevy order placed - surprise for me!

990. for Cheryl...who came late (later in the evening) to the conference and recognized the car who's parking lights were on.  Yikes!  I didn't know that they were on...not familiar with the In's and Outs of my hubby's car.  We had jumper cables... she knew how to do it... and thankfully we didn't need to go that route.  By morning it had recouped it's juices enough...

991. missing those gals who couldn't be with us... whether for previous obligations or what have you.  I really, really missed seeing their faces.  Gail. Rachelle. Ginny. Staci. Gwen. ~ just to name a few...

992. knowing this.  Before I was ever a sister, friend, wife, mother...I was a daughter.  A daughter of the King!

993.  reminded of this.  When sometimes in the waiting...the Lord...he gives us a window - so we can watch him work.  And for some of us, it could mean waiting a long time...

994. reminded of this.  Don't go to the phone.  Go to the throne!

995. this song, from the Valley of Vision CD

996. just being able to go...

997. coming home to...

998.  HUGE hugs and smiles...

999. my hubby and kids

(you're gonna die...)

1000. coming home to my porcelain kitchen sink scrubbed WHITE clean.  My hubby must have more elbow grease then I do and  my one broken kitchen drawer was fully repaired... along with several other Mr. Fix-it odd-type jobs taken care of.  I'll have you know...

Scott's a carpenter in more ways then one. And good right to be proud of that fact. (and that is our own family joke. We'll  just leave it at that.)

***
I so have enjoyed this journey of naming the gifts.  Not of what I want, but of things I already have.  As I've already alluded to... I will most likely continue to count, maybe not here, but in my heart and personal journal(s).   It's been a wonderful, wonderful journey.  I challenge you to consider the same.

All is grace.  And it is God's Grace that colors all that I see.  I breathe. I live in the good of this.  This gift. Amen.

the blessing of family

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We spent some time - nearly the whole day - with my sister Rachel and her family, on Saturday.  Scott was helping to assemble a rather simple but large play-yard for their three girls.  This has been an ongoing project for quite some time for my BIL, and the fam, and to be sure, quite a bit of "redneckin'" goes along to show.  It's all good.  I'm so grateful for their safety.  And that the pending rain storm held off.

Scott got up to their place fairly early in the AM - and I followed later, with our three little ones.  What a fun day.  I helped my sister with some household chores around their home.  Sweeping floors, laundry, dishes, preparing and cooking some of the evening meal, etc.

 Our children were having a grand ole time.  Both indoor and out.

The guys worked so hard.  Exhausting work as it is, but then also in dealing with very uneven ground, rocks buried deeply in soil (I'm talking to remove by backhoe only) and the impending weather threatening.

I would say they got pretty far considering.

All this to say.  Family is such a gift.  One to the other.  If it wasn't for the blessing of family...close family... a lot of us would be really on the out and out.

This sister and brother-in-law would both give their shirt off their back to help someone else in a time of need.  It is only right to do our part to "give back", even if it's just a little.
Are you blessed to have family in your life?  Family is such a gift.  Can you attest?
***
Continuing to count the gifts.  Onward to One Thousand Gifts.

938.  the gift of family...close family

939.  we matter - one to the other

940.  opportunities; to help...

941.  wide open spaces

942.  fields of wildflowers

943.  picking those beauties

944.  impending storm clouds - holding off

945.  just in time!

946.  raindrop music - tin roof style

947.  flowering bushes of snowballs and lilac

948.  home safely!

949.  finding the teeny-weeny baby (deer?) tick on Aubrey's underarm

950.  the patience (with her) as she struggled to be brave  (it was in there.)

951.  getting {it} ALL out - finally - after 45 minutes

952.   handfuls of violets tucked into jars

953.  *crown of beauty * oil of gladness * garments of praise* ~ Isaiah 61

954.   being part of the family of God!!!

955.   road maps - travel plans in the works

956.  wisdom in dealing with a sick little one today!

957.  all she wants to do is cuddle (running a fever!)

958.  Caleb and Aubrey (playing):  having family devotions.  Sitting around our dining room table with their pink and blue little Bibles, (pretending to read) quoting from memory... John 8:12.  So sweet to overhear.

959.  an open door

960.  the swival-spigot-head-thingy on my sink faucet...it's the best thing in the world!  (I only think about it when I'm washing dishes at other peoples houses and they don't have one.)

961.  sun-kissed noses

962.  dirty fingernails and toes

963.  seed packets...emptied into the earth...just in time... before the three days of rainfall.  beautiful rain!!

964.  buddy friends & friend friends

Gifts Collected

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Beautiful Monday Morning, to you! 

I was wishing you the same for Easter weekend and I hope it was.  Glorious and bright.  Ours was.

Jesus is Alive!  He lives within my heart!

It was so neat to be thinking of this throughout the weekend - as we should every day.

By the way.  You'll notice that almost every photo I share with you today has the same pretty pink tulips in it.

I thought I would share with you the beauty of roving tulips and perhaps give you a smile because of it.

Aren't they pretty?

Last Sunday we had dear friends into our home for lunch, after service and sweet Gwen brought these tulips along as a "thank-you"/hostess gift.  Which she would not have had to do.  But, I've been loving them all week.  Thank you, Gwen!

As I mentioned we were planning to do this, we went to my Mom's, yesterday, for Easter, after service.  We had a delicious dinner, as usual.  It was a really nice time together as most of our family was there.  Not everyone (and they were sorely missed...) but we did manage to talk on the phone. ;)

I just thought I had to show you a few photos of the fun that the children had...with the traditional egg hunt.

And.  I'm quite embarrassed to tell you this - but we forgot all about making the Resurrection Rolls until it was too late to do it.  Oops!

Jayne's first Easter!  Eggsploring...as babies will naturally do.

Caleb on the hunt... 

I know the sun was beautifully bright yesterday... but it looks as though Aubrey is taking a break being a bit overwhelmed, by all the eggs she's collected.   Funny picture.

Truth be told.  Caleb and Aubrey found SO MANY eggs yesterday, between the egg hunt at Grandma's and the one at church...that our house is currently swimming in colored plastic eggs.  Not to mention... chocolate and all other forms of various candies.  Yum! 

Interestingly enough... I noticed that they're all sitting from oldest to youngest. Fancy that!

Scott and I, along with our children, got a family photo taken and unfortunately I can't show it to you - it wasn't taken with my camera.  But... It made me so happy to have a good one or two of the mix.  Thanks to my sister, Jules.

We have no current family photos, with baby Jayne.  It was totally time to get one taken.

And, now that I've teased you with that and have no picture to show for...at least for now...

Well, we're moving on.  (as if this isn't already a long enough post)

***

I want to continue to count the gifts that are graciously extended my way.  Things I already have.  Things collected and worthy to be counted.  One Thousand Gifts.

900. pretty pink & white tulips

901. gifts handed out in appreciation

902. sweet friends ... faithful to always "be there".

903. He's Alive!

904. 1 cross + 3 nails = 4given

905. Easter dinner

906. egg hunts and oh the chocolate! that is involved

907. (10pm. washing dishes) the beautiful full moon, just beyond...out my kitchen window... LOVE!

908.  spring cleaning!

909. gusty winds...clear blue skies, white fluffy clouds

910. almond blossoms

911. lilac blooms and buttercups

912. the smell of sweet pansy tucked behind her ear

913. the lights of home

914. the smell of someone elses coffee filtering through the room - so good!

915. "here's a cup for you"... how nice!

916. he's getting so tall

917. her lady likeness

918. her 2nd tooth - has broken through

919. recovered computer files - after praying!!

920. scrapbook journals

921. cousins to play with and make memories with

922. sisters to chat with and appreciate

923. brothers to rattle and nerve ;)

924. family photos

925. being in love!  Not afraid to show it...

926. gettin' to giggling.

927. kisses for mama

928. too many to count!

929. sweaters and special dresses

930. smell of freshly mowed-off green grass and wild spring onions - as we drive by

931. the art-form of bird nests.  Beautiful!

932. cards exchanged

933. quietness of the morning...sunrise through the window pane

934. she falls asleep

935.  "this day, five years ago"... do you remember?.  Scott and I having this conversation, the other evening...what a blessing that day was.

936.  free videos - including the original trilogy of the Chronicles of Narnia

937.  Because of the Cross...

***

I could go on and on today... collecting thoughts and counting and praising HIM for the gifts He's given, so graciously.

Joining up today with Ann.

the gift of rearrange

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Saturday evening - late into the night - found my husband and I "rearranging" furniture.  It was on the calender to do this for awhile now because this was the weekend that we took up an offer to get a piano out of someones home.  A FREE gift!  So, how could we say no?  Besides, we've been talking about getting one for some time.

Not knowing what it would look like or sound like or really how big or tall or small or heavy...we said yes!  It is our hope that our children will be influenced towards music - just as Scott's family has been...and still are.  This was - as is intended - just to have something in our home to familiarize them with an instrument - such as a piano and "prepare" them for that "one day" of regular music lessons. 

Very exciting!  The one and only problem with this is that now our dining room just got a whole lot smaller.  Long story.

Anyway.  Moving on.

This gift of rearrange...

As I was thinking about this need to rearrange our home in order to fit this gift.  I got to thinking about how our life will just naturally get rearranged and we don't always like it.  I know I wasn't too keen on moving furniture around - cleaning - at 12:00 midnight or whatever hour it was.  But, it had to be done. 

(Oh, in case you're wondering, why so late?  We were out in Lancaster doing our monthly grocery shop, prior - all day.) 

Yes!  it was a long day. 

Think about all that does get rearranged, besides furniture.

• our schedules
• clothing
• rooms
• our dreams, our goals
• life...in general. changes due to a job loss, illness, an unexpected pregnancy, an untimely death, a promotion, a refund - a gift!

Often though, rearrangement will offer new perspective, out look and insight. When we realize the truth of... The old is gone...the new has come.

On Sunday morning, the sermon, given at our church, was excellent.  Taken out of John chapter 8... the verse speaking of "the truth shall set you FREE"... along with a story- illustration of a slave woman named Harriet Tubman.  You may have heard of her.  I never have, at least I didn't recall so.  But what an amazing woman. What an amazing testimony of her freedom and then going on to helping others to their own through means of the Underground Railroad.

She was born into slavery.  This was all she knew.  But the opportunity came for her to experience freedom!

Wickpedia records...

She crossed into Pennsylvania with a feeling of relief and awe, and recalled the experience years later:


"When I found I had crossed that line, I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything; the sun came like gold through the trees, and over the fields, and I felt like I was in Heaven."[42]

It was taking that step...across the line... and knowing the truth that she was now a free woman radically "rearranged" her life and as we sang the lyrics to a song - later that morning, which, to me, had a negro-spiritual beat & tempo to it, I "put myself" into Harriet's shoes, as we sang.

Glory, glory, glory to the One who saved my soul. 

Glory, glory, glory to the Everlasting Lord. 

Glory, glory, glory to the Lamb who sits enthroned ...

Our God!

It was powerful.  I was imagining...that one step of faith, across that state line.  That's all it took.  One step. The freedom felt.  Being overwhelmed with the reality that set in of truth setting free.

I (too) am a New Creation!  Free from the slavery of sin.  My debt has been paid in full.  I've been Redeemed.

Like I said before.  We don't always like or want change to occur in our lives. Sometimes changes we do want to have happen in our lives never take place, and we wonder about that?  However, whatever it is that does or doesn't come, sometimes that is the best thing that could ever happen to us.

I am so grateful for the gift of rearrange.

***

Will you count the blessings, the gift of rearrange in your life today?  Join me... towards the One Thousand Gifts...in no particular order.

#879.  yes Lord, even for this horrible lower back pain today...

#880.  sea of green grass, like waves, rippling across the pasture

#881.  Caleb just a swingin' the time away on "the playground" out back - straight for 45 minutes.  I kid you not.

#882. "everybodies piano" (there's a story here.)

#883.  help to bring this piano gift home - that it even fit through the one doorway with a 1/4" to spare...

#884.  beautiful rays of sunshine

#885.  this windy wash-day

#886.  family - willing to help, willing to share a meal

#887 &  #888.  Christian country and bluegrass music!  (I went, with all three children, to hear the very BEST -  The Isaacs - in concert, last evening.  My mother, who went with me - so I'm truly grateful for her ... all over again.  She helped with the children - who were so terribly nixnootzich...it wasn't funny.  Such a schrooching around...I tell you.  (yes!  I'm speaking PA Dutch here.)

#889.  (but) they are my children and I love them all so very much.

#890. Jayne's first tooth is through

#891.  I'm doing the happy dance, right now.  I just found out my friend, Nedra, needs no more Chemo.

#892.  two nights in a row - out with the girl friends

#893.  my hubby recognizing I needed that!

#894. another passed exam for Scott... only 24 more to go.

#895  Malachi 4:1-2

#896. calves running free, from their stall!!  Have you ever seen that?  beautiful.

#897.  a beautiful shopping day to Lancaster Co. - despite the here and there raindrops

#898.  chance to rearrange ;)  (as much as I like things they way they are... sometimes, change is good!)

#899.  the fact that all three of my children are napping...at the same time!

I had better go and take advantage of this freedom. 

What to do first? 

Fold laundry or just go sew??

Guests are coming for dinner tonight, as well.  I'll need to keep an eye on the clock...

(I'm talking to myself here.  Never mind me. :))

My heart is full.

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We are having one of the most beautiful of days around here, today.  So much so that I'm dreaming...all things gardens.

But.

This morning, as I sat down to type out a few lines, this idea, this reality, of what is swirling around in my head and what I can appropriately fit into a designated time slot...well, it isn't going to work.

In other words.  Where do I start?  What do I have time to say? 

Not much!, to answer my own question.


My heart is full.

Full of tangles and train wrecks, budding ideas and requests.

Beautiful sunshine and stormy-grey clouds.

Fresh air and stale.

Excitement and nerves.

Intentions and angst.

Satisfaction and "enough already".

Limitations and obligations.
***
You know all of this... you can readily relate.  You identify.

This is why I link to Ann's post today.  I so appreciated her thoughts of slowing...her sharing the one reason to slow down.  I hope you choose to read her post.

***

Continuing to count the gifts - # 851 - #878, of the One Thousand Gifts.

Stars overhead ... bright ones, too.  Twinkling...like I've never seen before.

crunch of gravel underfoot as I take my evening walk

dog barking in the distance

honking geese taking flight

the urge to create

Ruth & Boaz - love their story

my first robin sighting, then another, then another

bare feet

that yellow upper lip from smelling dandelions

Mommy!

toothless grin

laundry to hang

the line to hang it on

cold milk in glass jars

our breathing falling into perfect rhythm - just before a deep sleep - love it!

Krazy Glue and JB Weld - work wonders

Redeeming Love!

John 8:12

Children singing their hearts out - up on stage!

this warm spring weather

those Daffodils, Johnny Jump-ups, and surplus of Lamb Ears

opportunity to "pay it forward"

being published - (a fun blessing which I'll tell you more about soon).

pulling from home canned goods to serve guests

hard work paying off

windows open today

encouragement to slow down

then sings my soul...

turn around and say thank-you

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Why do I often find it so hard to "do" a simple thing my hubby asks of me to do?

Get ready... I'm here to bare my heart here.  But seriously... and this may really be a whole other subject in and of itself... I have asked myself this very question, this past weekend.

It is the way he asks?  Is it merely the request he's presented?  Is it just bad timing of when he asked?  Perhaps it's because he's mentioned it once before...and I've just not gotten around to taking care of it yet, and so now I'm feeling "pressured".

Dialing it all down.  I realized it wasn't necessarily any of the above - it's just that I had an expectation attached.

I got to thinking... "If this is such a big deal to him then he had better, at least, say thank-you!... after this "task" is done".  I expected him to fall all over himself - bending over backward to say how much he appreciated me, fulfilling his simple request.  He didn't.

Digging deeper.  I realized (rather quickly) that I wasn't, nor haven't been, so quick to say thank you, myself.

My husband is a fabulous guy!  He treats me right and does MORE for me then I'll ever know.  Everyone who knows him knows him to be of generous heart and will gladly give anyone a hand - up.  When I found out he took on several jobs, around the house, on Saturday, such as folding a small load of laundry and putting it away for me (ahem...perhaps not where I would have) or that he finished off making the bed with the blankets I had just washed or that he had put gas in the van and checked the tire pressure on all four...oh yeah, and he helped me sort out my Party Lite Orders (the correct product to the right guests)...took the trash out and well quite frankly, he did way more then I can remember.

The question is...

Did I say "thank you"?  Immediately?  Bending over backwards with appreciation? 

No...I didn't. 

At least not without some encouragement.  You see!  my hubby was also expecting me to notice and fully express my appreciation, immediately and well we - failed.  ((no worries.  All in all it was a wonderful weekend - completely fabulous)).

So why is this expectation attached, on others, if it's so difficult to meet this expectation ourselves?  We expect our children to learn their manners using please and thank you... all of the time.  Don't we?  Why haven't we learned this - as adults, or at least mastered it?

I was thinking about how the Lord must feel.  He gives us ALL things - graciously.  Whether we say thank-you or not, His hand is ever for our good.  How much more - when we turn around and say thank-you that it must please HIM immensely.

I know the Lord wants us to be thankful in all things, and for everything, but do you think he expects it of us?

Help me sort this out.  Will you? 

I think for me... I struggle with this mindset quite of often: "If only I would have a more expressed appreciation demonstrated towards me then I would have more respect toward, whomever, in return, etc."

It's so wrong.  It's so wrong of me to think this way.  I know in my heart - down deep- that gratitude, true gratitude, mines itself in the lower regions.  Humility.  Turning around to say thank you first without ever expecting anything in return.  What runs deep will automatically be forced out the top - to overflowing.
Blessing others, instead of myself.

The anticipation of this happening is what should be the expectation.  Amen?

***
Turning around once more... toward One Thousand Gifts.

#827. *this* eye-opening heart work I just shared about

#828. the chance to bless our family this weekend.

#829. trip to Roadside America, dinner at Red Robin

#830. when all three children nap at the same time

#831. the chance to sew a pendant banner for a friend of mine

#832. talk of raising chickens (for meat)

#833. a baby's yawn

#834. that wrinkled nose

#835. learning new words

#836. family devotions around the dinner table each evening

#837. using Training Hearts, Teaching Minds - as our guide

#838. sunlight streaming in through the bedroom windows

#839. a made-up beef stew that went down  - yummy!  It featured: beef cubes, beef broth, white kidney beans, diced tomato, Quinoa, fresh spinach.  Note: this is not a given specific recipe.  It was entirely made up...probably will never be duplicated because I simply do not remember what I did with the seasonings and all.  Oops!

#840. great candle party (Party Lite).  I came away with about $500. of FREE product. 

#841. great friends

#842. the jar of home canned Corn Relish, from my sister Rachel....we can't wait to dive into this gift.

#843. laundry folded and put away on the same day - rarely happens around here.  (thanks babe!)

#844. headlights replaced on the van

#845. her budding personality

#846. compliments that still come my way regarding my homemade cinnamon rolls.  Which that is almost as sweet as the roll itself.

#847. I love when he falls asleep...so cute!

#848. my kids are honestly scared of flies... it cracks me up.  Lord have mercy, this summer! (one is buzzing around my head as I type, that is why I added this.  It reminded me...)

#849. Spring is coming!

#850. he's down 12, I'm down 9...as I sit here and eat an afternoon "cookie snack".

Saying thank you.... for the everyday. Every Day!

... . . .. . .. .. . . .. . . . .. . . .. . .. . . . .. . . .. . .. . . .. .

You know when something is lost and you've looked high and low and yet it is nowhere to be found... you leave the room... come back and its been sitting right there, all along, staring right back at you like it had eyes?

This is almost the way it went down, last evening.  I was washing dishes, after we had guests in our home for "Guess who's coming to dinner?", when I realized that two of our coffee mugs...yes, two of these...went magically missing.  GONE! I tell you.  It was truly so perplexing. 

Could this be something to random to pray about? 

No. 

It wasn't. 

I prayed for the Lord to help me find these two mugs and lo and behold...there they were, found this morning, both of them in the microwave- waiting to get nuked, from yesterday afternoon, but it never happened, and well quite frankly the Lord answered my prayers. 

((Please tell me your not a coffee snob and that you will nuke your coffee, from earlier in the day - or perhaps even the day before.  Please, tell me we're not the only ones!))

But all this brings me to my thoughts this morning. Do you see God in the everyday, every day? Does the daily grind keep you so busy and focused yet you fail to slow and see it in the little things?


Is your dependence on HIM - even if it is just for something you've lost and you've since said a prayer?

God works in the everyday.  Every day.  The ordinary.  The commonplace.  The daily...daily grind.  The ho-hum, humdrum.

Anything could've happened to those coffee mugs.  The kiddo's like to help clear the table - they could've gone anywhere.  The trash, behind the couch, in a different cupboard...you name it.  I believe though, that if we take God at his word and believe him to be alive and powerful and aware of our every need - He will deliver. 

I think it is so true of us... to just go about our day - mindlessly and "fast" and unaware of God in the everyday.  Can we thank him for being in the center of it all?  Is He your center?

***
Continuing to count onward toward the One Thousand Gifts.

#804. the everyday

#805. running water (straight out of the tap)

#806. electric - that its in my home

#807. the invention of disposible diapers (especially after this weekend with a sick little baby gal)

#808. answered prayers, over lost items - especially of two random missing coffee mugs

#809. new friends

#810. the chance to go to the grocery store - late at night - alone!!

#811. just noticing...daffodils starting to bloom

#812. this woman, who's book,... A Life That Says Welcome, that has been consistently affecting my life

#813. cobwebs in the corners - they have brought me (much) humility

#814. for a hubby who still loves...time and time again...however imperfectly

#815. when he doesn't say it, the Lord does - "Girl, You are Beautiful".

#816. servant hearts

#817. good news

#818. our daily bread (provision)

#819. getting along... and helping one another

#820. words that bless...encourage...bring smiles...words that heal

#821. saying YES!

#822. messiness

#823. Blessings!

#824. accountablity

#825. the old is gone, the new has come...

#826. for every day that ends in "whY".